Beta-carboline alkaloids in crude drugs

Beta-carboline alkaloids in crude drugs were quantified by a reversed-phase HPLC method without interference from their artifactual formation during analysis and with fluorometric detection specific to each individual analyte, 1-Methyl-beta-carboline, beta-carboline, 7-hydroxy-1-methyl-beta-carboline, 7-methoxy-1-methyl-beta-carboline, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline showed a wide distribution in the crude drugs and the former two beta-carbolines were detected in all those tested. Schisandrae Fructus, Pinelliae Tuber, Evodiae Fructus and Passiflora incarnata contained relatively large amounts of beta-carbolines at ng-mu g/g dry weight levels. Beta-carboline alkaloids may be responsible for the pharmacological effects of crude drugs as the potent active substances.